Epenesa enjoying all-star week
A.J. Epenesa is averaging 14.0 points and 14.6 rebounds per game for Edwardsville this winter, but is taking a break from basketball this week to return to the football field for the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl. After arriving in San Antonio on Sunday, it took a few reps for the 6-foot-5, 255-pound defensive end to get back into football mode, but by the time the East Team was in full pads on Tuesday he was back to his old dominant self again.
“Obviously it’s a big transition from a physical standpoint,” said Epenesa. “It’s a different game and a different type of conditioning. Obviously I feel like I’m more conditioned to run the field, but physically trying to handle people that are a lot bigger than the typical offensive linemen I’ve handled throughout my career at Edwardsville, it’s a little more difficult but I’ve held my own. I was pretty successful yesterday on pass rushing and run stopping.”
“The first day, I came in and was a little nervous, but after the first few reps I came out and started doing well,” he continued. “It was just adjusting to the game and adjusting to the speed just like any other sport. I made the adjustment and started getting some success. It’s just adjusting to your environment and building up and getting better.”
Saturday’s game, which kicks off at 12 PM Central on NBC, will feature Epenesa on the East and Iowa OL commit Tristan Wirfs on the West. Also in the game is Iowa City wide receiver Oliver Martin, who is playing for the West team and still has the hometown Hawkeyes among his top choices.
“I’ve talked to Oliver a few times, but I haven’t said anything about Iowa because I know that’s in his top few so that’s all you can ask for. It’s his decision in the end,” Epenesa said. “I put in my two cents and it’s up to him from here on out. I mean I’m trying to have him come, but we’re all here to enjoy the Army Bowl and the atmosphere here, so I’ll just leave it at that.”
After the Army Game, Epenesa will be playing in the Polynesian Bowl in Hawai’i on January 21st. Then, it is back to basketball season, which saw him surpass 1,000 points for his high school career a week ago, followed by track where he is the defending state champion in the discus. Not long after that will be a move to Iowa City in June as he follows in his father’s footsteps playing for the Hawkeyes.
“I get more and more excited about becoming a Hawkeye every day,” said Epenesa. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was young to be a Hawkeye.”
“I mean there’s pictures of me as a baby with Iowa clothing and pictures of me growing up rocking the Iowa gear,” he continued. “It’s just a lifelong dream for me to want to become a Hawkeye and now that I have that opportunity, I get to take it and live my dream out.”
“I’m out here just doing what I want to do and doing what I love, so I mean I couldn’t ask for anything else,” Epenesa said. “I’m just out here trying to work and get better, so I can go to Iowa and help produce.”
Thank you to Josh Helmholdt of Rivals.com for the video interview with A.J. Epenesa.